Runners make a marathon effort
It has taken months of hard work and weeks of training to get to this point – and now runners from across the Midlands will be on the start line at tomorrow's London Marathon.
Thousands of runners in the West Midlands and Staffordshire were descending on the capital, loaded up with trainers, running gear and energy drinks.
This year is the 34th annual London Marathon and around 40,000 people will tackle the 26.2 mile route. While Olympian Mo Farah will be going for gold in the elite race, celebrities such as retired footballer Michael Owen, actor Dominic West and chef Gordon Ramsey will be out in force doing their bit for charity.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds will be raised for good causes tomorrow as many people run in memory of loved ones or causes close to their hearts.
One of the good causes benefitting from fundraising is St Giles Hospice in Walsall.
Helen Relihan, head of fundraising at the charity, said: "Every year the London Marathon captures people's imagination.
"We're incredibly fortunate to have four runners representing St Giles Hospice this year – Wendy Brown, David Hetherington, Allan Hodson and Douglas Hansen-Luke.
"The funds they raise will help us continue to deliver high-quality care to local people living with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses."
The first London Marathon was held on March 29, 1981.
The race was founded by the former Olympic champion and journalist Chris Brasher and Welsh athlete John Disley. It begins at three separate points around Blackheath and finishes in The Mall alongside St James's Park.
In 1982, the finishing post was moved from Constitution Hill to Westminster Bridge due to construction works. It remained there for 12 years before moving to its present location at The Mall.
The event has raised more than £450 million for charity since 1981 and holds the world record as the largest annual fundraising event in the world after the 2009 participants raised more than £47.2m for charity.
Olympic gold medallist Anna Watkins will be this year's official race starter alongside her double-sculls teammate Katherine Grainger this year.
Former rower Watkins said that the London Marathon will be her toughest challenge yet. Watkins will make her marathon debut just six months after giving birth to her son, William.
"I lost my father-in-law to cancer just after the Beijing Olympics so I'm running for Macmillan Cancer Support," she said. Diver Tom Daley will start the Virgin Money Giving Mini Marathon.
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